Château Phélan-Ségur continue to challenge the very best unclassified wines of Saint-Estèphe with a line of impressive vintages after a ownership change in the mid 1980s. Phélan makes fine, long lasting Bordeaux's dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon with a third of the blend being Merlot. The wine has been no more fine than the 2009 release which is probably the best wine from Phélan-Ségur for the past 20 or so years. Swathes of depth with deep concentrated purple and blue fruits that will see the wine live comfortably for the next 10-15 years.

An upswing in quality over the past decade or so, has resurrected Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte's position amongst Bordeaux Chateau. New ownership breathed life into exceptionally positioned vineyards, now farmed with less chemicals, with a more sympatico approach in winery. Famed winemaking consultant Michel Rolland is an additional feather in Smith-Haut-Lafitte's cap, enhancing the wines concentration, power and depth, while maintaining a finesse. Though full-bodied, the wine from 2010 will be approachable a little earlier than most other fine Bordeaux, with more moderate tannin - that being said, it's life will stretch several decades too.

At the very top of the Appellation. Black fruits with spicy ink notes on the nose The palate- the tannins are very powerful but also mellow, smokey notes pepper, highlights wonderfully the Syrah variety on granite soils.

While it is true that lovers of Pauillac wines can sometimes be divided over their love of the wines from Lynch-Bages, it will go without question that the wines produced from the magnificent 2009 vintage are sure to be coveted by all. Vintage conditions were simply perfect and have allow this Pauillac producer to embrace its love of plush, fruit forward wines and yet deliver a wine of immense power and structure.

Château Léoville-Barton is one of the oldest Château's in Saint Julien with the Barton family still owning the estate some 175+ years since they took stewardship of the property. Always a finely perfumed wine is produced with rich and powerful tannin that gives way to beautiful fruit and richness of flavour with aging. This is especially the case when speaking of the remarkable 2009 vintage which is being classified as one of the very best of the past 100 years. Take advantage of such a vintage with wines like Léoville's that won't break the Bordeaux bank.